Midfielder Cole Skuse believes Town should be aiming for automatic promotion this season, rather than targeting a top-six finish.
Skuse, 28, said: "I know it’s still very early but I don’t think we should just be talking about the top six.
"We’re right in the mix and should be talking about the top two and automatic promotion. The top six should be the minimum I think and we are definitely going to give it a good go.
"If we get into the top two with a win at Charlton on Saturday it will do our confidence some good but you have to remember that if you are in the top two the other teams will be looking to shoot you down.
"That will mean an extra bit of pressure on you every week from the media and people generally asking questions — but we won’t let it affect us.”
Fourth-placed Town head for the live-on-Sky clash in South London — kick-off 12.15pm — looking to extend an impressive record of just one defeat in 14 league games.
But Skuse accepts it is a tough assignment since their hosts have yet to lose at home in the current campaign and have suffered just two defeats in their 18 league fixtures to date.
Skuse added: "They’ve been going very well and I spoke to their keeper, Stephen Henderson, a little while ago. He was saying in no uncertain terms that it will be a very tough game for us. They don’t give away much at home and it will be tough to break them down.
"The Valley is always a tough place to go, the atmosphere is always quite hostile and their pitch wasn’t great when we went there last season. Don’t worry, we know what to expect there and we’ll be ready for it.”
Skuse agrees that while Town were not among the pre-season promotion favourites they are currently in such a rich vein of form that their chances can no longer be ignored.
He said: "I think the way we have climbed the league has caught a few people out and even Steve Claridge might have mentioned us on The Football League Show. He might even have spoken about us for two or three seconds, so it must mean we’re doing something right.
"We’re definitely going about our business the right way and I don’t mind it being quiet. I can honestly say that the manager has never held a meeting and we as players have never held a meeting to say we’ve got to be in the top two.
"Now and again you’ll hear the manager say that the top six should be our minimum target but there have been no meetings to discuss it.
"The atmosphere’s very good, the training’s been really lively and intense, and everyone is walking round with a big smile on their faces. It’s no different to usual — we’re always smiling — but I think there’s a bit of a buzz around the town at the minute.”